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Topic: Obsolete Instruments? |
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 12:23 pm |
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This Site has lots of useful info and photos of Gibson lap steels. The descriptions of Gibson guitars appear to come directly out of Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars. The guy who put the site together rates each guitar for collectibility using a letter system: A+ to D-
The following statements appear on the site and they really rub me the wrong way... how about you?
Note on LapSteel Collectibility.
"I don't individually rate each lapsteel model for collectibility, because they all pretty much fall into a "D" or "D-" category. Remember, they are basically obsolete instruments by todays standards. Therefore they are only interesting as historical sidenotes. "
Lapsteel for Sale?
"No, lapsteels are not worth a lot of money. They are basically obsolete as musical instruments (the pedal steel did them in), though some rare musicians still use them today. They do have historical significance, but since they aren't viewed as "viable" instruments today, their values are fairly low. Because of their historical importance, I am interested in buying lapsteels if they are priced "reasonable". Just thought I'd mention this before you email me asking $1000 for your lapsteel!"
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My Site - Instruction | Doug's Free Tab | Steels and Accessories
[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 27 August 2002 at 01:30 PM.] |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 12:40 pm
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I love lap steels (and don't play pedals), but the guy has a point, lapsteels are "basically obsolete by today's standards" and serve only a small niche market. That's why there are so few lap steel makers and no major companies make them anymore. The demand is just too small.
That being said, they're still the some of the coolest instruments around and in the right hands make some of the best music around. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 1:03 pm
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Yes, I guess I have to agree. Maybe it's just the way the guy worded his statements that rubs me the wrong way. He must have some respect for lap steels since he listed them on his site with photos.
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 3:39 pm
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| Quote: |
| the pedal steel did them in |
Not so... they are different instruments. The lap steel has an identity all it's own, and it might even outlive the pedal steel in the long run.  okay.. I'm talkin' 100s of years from now! |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 3:48 pm
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Maybe this "novice" should play the infield
and come out of "left field" its lonely out
there.
Karnak has spoken. |
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Brandin
From:
Newport Beach CA. USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 6:30 pm
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| Thanks b0b, I'm glad 'The Vanduras' are not obsolete. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 27 Aug 2002 11:04 pm
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| As far as I'm concerned it is like comparing apples to oranges. The lap is one breed, the pedal another. Each has a beauty of its own. I doubt the lap guitar will ever become obsolete any more than the violin. Jerry Byrd and his deciples will certainly see to that! I have never played pedals and doubt I ever will. I have no problem playing gigs on lap. As far as Hawaiian music is concerned, (my specialty), IMHO the lap is THE instrument ... the pedal just doesn't cut it as sweetly as the lap. On the other hand, the pedal could be considered superior to the lap on country swing although that can be debated, I'm sure. (Murphey, Speedy, Carver, et al). |
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Andy Greatrix
From:
Edmonton Alberta
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 12:40 am
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This guy is living proof that there will never be a shortage of uninformed opinions.
He means well, I'm sure. |
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Jim Landers
From:
Spokane, Wash.
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 11:18 am
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| Quote: |
| I am interested in buying lapsteels if they are priced "reasonable". Just thought I'd mention this before you email me asking $1000 for your lapsteel!" |
I think the guy is on a fishing expedition, trolling for suckers.
Jim |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 12:29 pm
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BTW - The website that started this whole discussion has been online for about six years now. The lap steel section and it's content has not changed much if at all in all that time.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Andy Zynda
From:
Wisconsin
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 12:48 pm
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Obsolete my ass.
Look at what's happening with Dobro/Resonators right now.
2 years ago when I wanted mine, it was a real bear just to locate a dealer.
Now musicians friend has close to a dozen listed in their catalog.
just wait...
It's all a big merry-go-round.
-andy- |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 12:53 pm
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Maybe the resurgence of interest in lap steel in the past 6 years means that they are no longer obsolete 
And maybe it's time for that guy to upgrade the instruments from D- to C- ?? |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 2:20 pm
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He ought to see me,,Im obsolete as well  |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 6:11 pm
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| Andy Greatrix.........to WHOM...pray tell, were you referring in that cutting remark??? |
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Ziggie
From:
Freeland, Mi. USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 7:31 pm
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I think the guy has tunnel vision. How can something be obsolete if it's still being used? What about the Country Swing bands, Hawaian bands, and people like Jr. Brown, Cindy Cashdollar, Jerry Bird ect., that use lap steels or non pedal steels and are makeing great music with it. If you can make music on it......it's good.
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Don Zeitler aka Ziggie
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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mikey
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 28 Aug 2002 8:18 pm
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Obsolete?...I guess if you don't play an instrument...so I guess the Vanduras, Junior Brown, David Gilmore, Jimmy Page, Dave Lindley, Ben Harper, Bob Brozman and all of us, et. al. are also obsolete. I don't get this guy's take, Like I said, he must not be a Musician in any way shape or form...probably buys guitars and keeps 'em in a vault...if you don't play it, is it still an instrument?...I've jammed w/ guys on jugs and tissue combs and washtub/broomhandle single string basses...obsolete?...not if you can make MUSIC with it.Let's give this guy the Forum's Idiot of the Year award.
Mike |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 29 Aug 2002 3:35 am
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| As Gerald says, the content is 6 years old so it's not worth worrying losing sleep about. As we all know, the lap steel is more visible right now than at any time in the last 40 years. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 29 Aug 2002 7:33 am
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| You're right Andy, but it would be nice to see the site update their assessment of lap steels to reflect the current interest. The site owner is strictly a collector/dealer of vintage guitars. I wonder if he knows that there are a lot of non-pedal steels that are now worth more than some vintage guitars? |
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Tom Campbell
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2002 7:36 am
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| Musicians Friend does not sell/deal in obsolete or "dead" instruments. With that said, check out their site for the Sierra lap and Sierra Artist S-10!! |
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Glenn Austin
From:
Montreal, Canada
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Posted 29 Aug 2002 8:22 am
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| How often have you heard guys like this in music stores. They're not really interested in your guitar, but they'll take it off your hands for a 100 bucks just to help you out and be a good sport. This guy is a snake in the grass! |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 29 Aug 2002 8:57 am
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I encore Ray's question as it, (Andy's) appeared immediately below my thread...
??????????????????????????????????? !! |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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